Here we go again...

[Smart Red]

Here in central NC in what is known as the Piedmont it is supposed to get down to 28F tonight. I'm guessing the apple and pear trees will take a hit since they are in bloom. We were hoping this would be the year because the twelve oldest trees are now almost six years old. Last year most of them made some fruit but this was going to be the year. I don't know how long it will be below freezing but I'm hoping and praying we get spared.

Thank you, Ridgerunner. I was just going to suggest that 'trick' of using water to wash the frost off. I've heard that it works best if done before the sun hits the plants. I sure hope it works for you.

Jim, even if the current flowers get hit, all the flowers don't bloom at the same time. Already dropped flowers and smaller buds may not be as effected. That means not as many fruits, but bigger ones?

 

[journey11]

How disappointing, the timing on that, Jim. I'm not sure what to expect at these low temps they're calling for. I hope some of the fruit will be spared. Even what is available to buy will be pricey this year.

 

[JimWWhite]

Jim, even if the current flowers get hit, all the flowers don't bloom at the same time. Already dropped flowers and smaller buds may not be as effected. That means not as many fruits, but bigger ones?

Well, I think we made it through to the other side almost unscathed. Red, you're right in that the trees did put on more blooms right after the frost. Not a lot of blooms on the ground either. Maybe...just maybe...

 

[JimWWhite]

You know, that reminds me of something my Dad always did in his orchard every year. He'd take one of our plastic baseball bats out there when the trees were in full bloom and beat the limbs on each of the trees knocking off a lot of the blooms. He'd tell us that the apples would be bigger because of it. He'd do it to the apples, peaches and pears. I do remember having pretty large apples when they ripened. Us kids had to pick 'em, pare 'em and slice 'em up for Mama to make jelly and apple pie filling that she'd put up each fall. We'd also slice them up and we'd spread out a sheet on top of the shed behind the house and cover them with the apple slices. Then we'd cover them with another sheet and leave them up there for a few days. When she had us take them down they were perfectly dried apples that went into butter churns or big pickling crocks that she'd cover and put over in the corner. That winter we'd have fried apple pies at least once a week.

 

[so lucky]

Jim, I don't suppose you remember what kind of apples they were? Those are some great memories.

 

[JimWWhite]

Jim, I don't suppose you remember what kind of apples they were? Those are some great memories.

That was a long time ago but I do remember him having Rome apples though. There were red and yellow apples. He had maybe fifteen or twenty trees out back he planted the year I was born. I remember that when I go up to the Century Orchard Farms where we get our trees they put out apples for tasting. There are a couple that when I bit into them I was instantly back to that time. Taste and smell do that. And sometimes certain sounds trigger a long forgotten memory. Some were tart and some were sweet. But I don't remember the specific names other than the Rome apples of course.